The Director of the United States Department of Defense, Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA),Dr. Elizabeth S. George,(seated,fourth from right) poses for a group photograph with KEMRI staff led by the then Deputy Director in charge of Research & Development ,Prof. Elizabeth Bukusi (seated, fourth from left) when she visited KEMRI on Monday, 25th, January, 2016.

The then Deputy Director Research and Training at KEMRI, Prof. Elizabeth Bukusi presents a certificate to a participant of the Bioinformatics and Genomics workshop as workshop coordinators Dr. Jim Kagai, Dr Sarah Schaack and Dr. Damaris Matoke-Muhia look on.

The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) Board of Management has announced the appointment of Dr. Gerald M. Mkoji as the acting Chief Executive Officer and Director, after Prof. Solomon Mpoke, the CEO was sent on compulsory leave on 18th December 2015.

The eagerly awaited KEMRI Annual Merit Awards lived-up to its bidding after seven members of staff among them distinguished scientists and astute administrators were declared winners of the inaugural 2014 awards at a colourful ceremony held towards the close of last year.

Excited members of staff nodded as the former Director KEMRI, Prof. Solomon Mpoke read out the names of Prof. Sam Kariuki as the recipient of the Institute’s highest Merit recognition – the KEMRI Batian/Platinum Award in “appreciation of Excellence, Commitment and Selfless dedication to research and service” at the institute in 2014.

Prof. Kariuki’s award is another feather to his decorated hat given that he is the 2012 Royal Society Pfizer Award for his outstanding research into invasive Non-Typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) infections in Kenya. He is the current Director for Centre for Microbiology Research (CMR).

Stranding the podium alongside Prof. Kariuki for the second highest institutional recognition (KEMRI Nelion /Gold Excellence Award) were also excellent scientists lead by Dr. Festus Tolo and Dr. Philip M Ngumbi each respectively awarded for remarkable scientific research that earned the respect of their peers in the research and academia.

Not to be left behind were the lady scientists represented by the ever green and jolly, Dr. Dr. Maricianah Onono and twin go-getters- Sophia Wanja Matu and Ann Rugutt Korir. The three tied in the KEMRI Lenana /Silver Excellence Award for outstanding in the respective scientific endeavours in 2014.

Pleasant surprises also awaited the administrative arm of the Institute, when Nathan Mauti was declared the Institute’s Nelion /Gold Award for his role in helping set up the Nairobi Cancer registry, while Pauline Ochami bagged KEMRI Lenana/Silver 2014 for her selfless and dedicated service to the Institute in 2014 among the administrative staff.

Please read respective citations of each of the 2014 KEMRI shinning stars below: